MURFREESBORO — To help fund future MTSU student projects, the first Engineering Technology Golf Classic will be held Friday, Aug. 17, at Champions Run Golf Course, 14262 Mt. Pleasant Rd., in Rockvale, Tenn.

Before the 1 p.m. shotgun start, a light lunch will be served starting at noon.

Teams, individual players and hole sponsors are being sought by the MTSU Department of Engineering Technology, which is organizing the event. The registration and entry fee deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 1.

“The funds will establish a student project foundation account which will help fund student projects,” said Dr. Walter Boles, department chair and an avid golfer. “Student project efforts are always short of funds. We hope this effort will supplement funding solicited from other sources.”

Boles said a department committee will accept requests for funds from student project teams and decide how to distribute the funds.

“The first priority is for team projects,” Boles said. “We will consider senior projects as well if funding is available. Projects such as mini Baja, solar boat, construction- management competition and NASA robotics contest, among others, are eligible for proposals.”

Most of the student projects are national competitions against the best engineering and engineering-technology programs in the nation, Boles said.

“Potential employers like to see resumes of students who have participated in these projects,” he said. “They not only have the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom, they have practical experience working in teams, which may involve leadership, open-ended design problems, schedule and budget constraints and solving a multitude of technical problems.”

Most of these projects typically are expensive, Boles added, making reference to costs for travel, hardware, software, supplies and more.

Today, because of a shortage in skilled labor, there’s a great demand for MTSU engineering technology graduates to meet industry’s need.

“Across the U.S. and globally, there’s an issue of not having enough skilled people at all levels in industrial and manufacturing jobs,” said Jimmy Davis, owner of The Davis Groupe in Murfreesboro. “Companies like Nissan and Bridgestone recognize that, and they’re partnering with technology centers, MTSU’s engineering technology program and others.”

There will be $2,000 platinum, $1,000 gold and $500 silver sponsorships. Each category has its own perks. Individual golfers’ entry fee is $125.

Boles added that anyone willing to donate door prizes, goody-bag items or provide lunch or hors d’oeuvres during the awards would be welcomed.

Davis, who serves as chair of the Engineering Technology Industrial Advisory Committee, is helping coordinate the event along with Tabitha Foote, marketing/event director at Champions Run Golf Course.

To mail the entry and payment, send c/o MTSU Engineering Technology Department, P.O. Box 19, Murfreesboro, TN 37132. The department’s main office is located in Room 143 of the Voorhies Engineering Technology Building on Faulkinberry Drive across from Alumni Memorial Gym and near Floyd Stadium.

For more information about the department, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/et/. Click on “Eng. Tech Golf Tournament” on the top half of the right side of the homepage to view and obtain the registration form. Or call 615-898-2776 to learn more.

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